Image processing apparatus

Abstract

An image processing apparatus which improves data compression efficiency and reduces communication time. If the number of colors of information included in an original image is small, i.e., if an original image is an image including one or two fundamental colors of a color system on white ground, the apparatus transmits only the corresponding color component data. Further, the transmission is made in accordance with a recording order which the receiving side notifies to the transmitting side. As a result, time from reception of the image information to the end of recording can be reduced.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image processing apparatus for reading an original image and copying/transmitting the image, comprising: input means for inputting image information of an image including at least one picture;   hierarchical coding means for performing hierarchical coding of original image information; and   control means for controlling said hierarchical coding means to hierarchically code the input image information, said coding means coding the image information both when a plurality of copies are designated for the image and when transmission of the image to an external device is instructed, wherein said coding means begins coding at least for the plurality of copies after the entire image information of the at least one picture has been input.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means deactivates said hierarchical coding means if the designated number of copies is one, while said control means activates said hierarchical coding means if the number of copies is more than one. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means disables said hierarchical coding means if copying of the image is instructed, while said control means enables said hierarchical coding means if transmission of the image is instructed. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for generating the original image information by reading the original image. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the original image information coded by said hierarchical coding means. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the original image information coded by said hierarchical coding means. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising read-out means for reading out the original image information stored by said storage means. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising decoding means for decoding the original image information read out by said read-out means. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means for forming an image in accordance with the original image information decoded by said decoding means. 
     
     
       10. An image processing method for reading an original image and copying/transmitting the image, comprising the steps of: inputting image information of an image including at least one picture;   performing hierarchical coding of original image information; and   controlling the hierarchical coding to hierarchically code the input image information both when a plurality of copies are designated for the image and when transmission of the image to an external device is instructed, wherein said coding step begins coding at least for the plurality of copies after the entire image information of the at least one picture has been input.